EAGER Giants officials are ready to welcome their biggest crowd for six years when they entertain Bradford Bulls in Sunday's eagerly-awaited Super League top-of-the-table clash at the McAlpine Stadium (3.00).
The unbeaten Giants are confident of smashing the five-figure barrier for the first time since their opening Super League game in April 1998.
That was also against the Bulls when 12,417 packed into the McAlpine for the live televised clash.
Huddersfield's poor Super League form over the next four seasons obviously meant attendances dipped dramatically.
But with the Giants now joint top of the table, with two wins out of two, and having just reached the quarter-final of the Challenge Cup, the McAlpine club are on a high and a bumper turn-out this weekend is definitely on the cards.
"Everything is pointing towards our biggest crowd in years," said excited Giants general manager Richard Thewlis.
"Our ticket pre-sales are hugely encouraging, with a big uptake from Town fans who have used their special discounted voucher.
"We had over 4,500 Giants fans for this season's opening Super League game against Castleford, and there's no reason whatsoever why there won't be many more for this game against the Bulls.
"In fact, initial demand has been so high that we intend opening the upper tier of the Lawrence Batley Stand to accommodate the extra fans.
"Since that excellent opening-day win over Castleford, we've won at Widnes and were top of Super League for 48 hours and have beaten Pia and Doncaster to move into the last eight of the Challenge Cup.
"And that means St Helens and ourselves are the only teams to remain unbeaten in Super League and the Challenge Cup this season.
"We obviously want that to continue beyond Sunday, and with the Giants support from the fans we're confident that can be achieved, even against the world club champions!"
The turnstiles will be opening at 1.45pm rather than the usual 2.00pm in order to avoid major congestion.
And to make the day extra special for young fans, there will be a pre-match party at the Chicago Rock for Junior Giants and Junior Bulls (between noon and 2.00pm). Admission is free.
At the game itself, former Huddersfield captain Danny Russell and his wife Julie will be the guests of honour.
Russell led out the Giants for that top-flight opener against the Bulls in 1998 and scored his side's only try as they suffered a 38-6 defeat.
"We thought as Danny was the last captain to lead out Huddersfield in front of a 10,000-plus home crowd it was fitting to invite him on the next occasion when we hope it will happen," added Thewlis.
